Capris are on the outs in this Georgia school district. (Photo: Getty Images)

While the shorter pants are a popular item for teachers trying to beat the Southern heat, a conversation sparked around dress code in the region led to an email from the area’s superintendent, Trent North, in which he deemed capris (among other items) inappropriate work attire.

The highlighted statement includes capris in the list of clothing deemed “not appropriate.” (Photo: 11Alive)

“Some items of clothing that are not appropriate for work include jeans (except on Fridays for teachers and non-administrative staff), flip flops, sneakers, leggings (except when worn with an appropriate length dress), shorts and capris,” the email read, causing quite the commotion among the district’s educators.

An administrator from the school district tells Yahoo Style, “Expectations for professional dress by Douglas County School System (DCSS) employees have been in place through policy for many years, and that has not changed.” However, North is reenforcing the district dress code so that staff follow it just as students are expected to.

“We have expectations that our students will follow the district dress code. I believe it appropriate that we also have high expectations for our professional staff to dress in appropriate business apparel,” Superintendent North stated at an administrative meeting. “We are taking this opportunity to go back to the basics and have our staff dress professionally.”

NBC affiliate 11Alive spoke to North directly, and he clarified his definition of said capris. “A longer version of shorts. It isn’t business; it isn’t professional. If a teacher comes into the building with pants just above the ankle, no one is going to say a word.”

Using the knee as a guideline, the superintendent finds anything just above or below the knee inappropriate. However, if a pant hem comes closer to the ankle, the shorter look is fine by him.